Numismatic

1851-O $10 Liberty Gold Eagle AU-53 NGC

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Struck in the decade preceding the American Civil War, this ten-dollar gold piece represents a fascinating era of coin production at the southern branch mint in Louisiana. The New Orleans Mint, denoted by the 'O' mint mark on the reverse, produced 263,000 of these gold eagles in 1851. Finding examples today in well-preserved states is a notable event for those who study early American coinage, as many of these heavy gold pieces saw extensive circulation in commerce or were melted down in later decades. This specific coin has been certified in About Uncirculated 53 (AU-53) condition, indicating it retains much of its original detail despite light wear from its brief time in active circulation. Composed of 90% gold, the coin contains 0.4838 troy ounces of precious metal. The obverse features the classic Liberty design dated 1851, while the reverse displays the heraldic eagle, the denomination 'TEN D.', and the United States of America country inscription.